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General
1.
Why is it a No-Burn day when it's sunny outside? Visual sky conditions have little to
do with burn day determination. Burn days are forecast using both
vertical and horizonal dispersal conditions, not by how cloudy or how
sunny it is outside.
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2.
Can I get a variance on a No-Burn day? Variances can be given to a person
wanting to burn on a no burn day by the local air district, not the
ARB. An economic reason must be given for this request.
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3. Where
can I find the current and historical burn decision? You can find
historic information
on ARB's web site.
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4. Who do I call if I see smoke
impacts in my area? Complaints
about smoke exposure may be directed to the ARB via email
or by calling
ARB's Complaint Recorder at (800) 952-5588. Please be sure to leave
your name, phone number, address and nature of your complaint --
including the date and time. You may also contact
your local
air district.
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5.
Where can I check the Air Quality Index (AQI) forecast for my area?
For detailed information, about the
AQI and AQI levels in your area, please visit the U.S. EPA's AirNow website.
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District
1. What are the phone numbers for the local Air Districts?
Here are the phone numbers to
the local districts.
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2.
Where can I find a list of Air District websites? Here is the list of Air District websites.
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3.
Where is a map of the Air District? Here is a map of
Air Districts.
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Definitions
1.
What is an Inversion?
The term "temperature
inversion" literally
refers to a reversal of normal vertical temperature patterns seen in
our lower atmosphere. Temperature inversions are relatively common in
valley areas. In wintertime, a temperature inversion occurs when cold
air close to the ground is trapped by a layer of warmer air. As the
inversion continues, air to the ground becomes stagnant and pollution
becomes trapped close Inversions also occur during the summer months,
but are a product of even hotter upper air trapping warm air close to
the ground. The result is the same: we are unable to rid ourselves of
the everyday pollution that we create. Air pollution will continue to
accumulate until the weather pattern changes.
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2.
What is a Marginal Burn day? A marginal
burn day is declared
when atmospheric conditons are not as condusive to the dispersing of
particulate matter as during an open burn day. ARB will check
meteorolological conditions and particulate matter readings to
determine the dispersal capacity of the atmosphere and will declare a
marginal burn day those days when conditons are not suited for an open
burn day, but are better than those governing a no burn day.
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3.
What is an Air Basin, Air District? A land area with generally similar
meteorological and geographic conditions throughout. To the extent
possible, air basin boundaries are defined along political boundary
lines and include both the source and receptor areas. California is
currently divided into 15 air basins. Air District: A political body responsible for
managing air quality on a regional or county basis. California is
currently divided into 35 air districts.
See also air pollution control district and air quality management
district.
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4.
What is AQMIS? Air
Quality and Meteorological Information System (AQMIS): The Air Quality and Meteorological
Information System (AQMIS) is a web-based source for real-time (and
historical) air quality and meteorological data. AQMIS is used by state
and local officials and the public to track air quality. It also
supports smoke management and air pollution forecasting.
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5.
What is PFIRS? Prescribed
Fire Incident Reporting System (PFIRS)
serves as an interface between air quality managers, land management
agencies and individuals that conduct prescribed burning in California.
The website will facilitate communications by providing access to a
database containing information on burn planning, burn approvals and
emissions information. Once complete, PFIRS will enable individuals
involved in prescribed burning the ability to assimilate this
information on a statewide level.
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6.
What is AQI? The Air
Quality Index (AQI), (formerly known as the Pollutant
Standards Index) was issued on July 23, 1999 by the U.S. EPA for daily
air quality reporting to the public. This new index reflects revisions
to the primary health-based national ambient air quality standards for
ground-level ozone and particulate matter issued by U.S. EPA in 1997.
For much more detailed information, about the AQI and AQI levels in
your area, please visit the U.S. EPA's
AirNow website.
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7. What is title SMP? Smoke Management Program addresses
potentially harmful smoke impacts from agricultural, forest and range
land management burning operations. The legal basis of the program is
found in the Smoke Management Guidelines for Agricultural and
Prescribed Burning adopted by the California Air Resources Board (ARB)
at its meeting on March 23, 2000. The Guidelines provide the framework
for State and local air district regulators to conduct the program.
Elements of the program include. Smoke Management Plan
(SMP) means a document prepared for each
fire by land managers or fire managers that provides the information
and procedures required in section 80160 of the Health and Safety Code.
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8.
What is title 17?
Title 17 is the California Code of Regulations section governing public
health and air quality.
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9.
What is CB-3? The
CB-3 is the Controlled Burn Notice form, otherwise known as the CB-3, is used by districts who elect to
have the ARB Meteorology Section provide forecasts or decisions for
prescribed burns.
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10.
What is NWS? NWS
stands for National Weather Service.
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11.
What is CANSAC? The
California and Nevada Smoke and Air Committee (CANSAC): CANSAC provides experimental
forecast products of fire weather, smoke dispersion/transport, fire
danger and fire behavior.
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Weather
1. For general
weather 101
2. National
Weather Service sites
3. The different model outputs
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